Shut Up & Sing


Book Description

An examination of America's liberal elites argues that high-placed leftists in the nation's media and entertainment industries are endangering the nation with help from the United Nations.




Shut Up and Sing


Book Description

Feisty radio sensation Laura Ingraham is tired of the Hollywood Left--and she has all the answers in this pugnacious, funny, and devastating critique of the liberals who hate America.




The Bear Book II


Book Description

Here is a serious discussion of an emerging gay subculture! Take another fascinating journey into the bear's den with the latest offering from Les Wright, author of The Bear Book. The Bear Book II will show you the contrast between the media image of the fun-loving, carefree bear man and the health, image, psychological, technological, and sexual concerns of bears living in the real world. A continuation of The Bear Book (1997), this study of typically big, hairy, and bearded gay men explores bears on a societal and personal level, giving a wide voice to bears of all ages, nationalities, and cultures. Among the topics The Bear Book II: Further Readings in the History and Evolution of a Gay Male Subculture discusses are: health concerns of bears bear body images self-esteem issues for bears physical and psychological bear attributes as portrayed in the media versus actual individual accounts social and sexual institutions in the bear community the role of the Internet in creating a global bear subculture The Bear Book II will help you to understand the life of a bear. This unique book, the only serious exploration of this topic, offers documentation of a subculture in the making, complete with subjective and analytical perspectives that support this example of postmodern cultural anthropology.




The Hips on the Drag Queen Go Swish, Swish, Swish


Book Description

Playing off "The Wheels on the Bus," this nursery rhyme book from a founder of Drag Queen Story Hour is a fun, freewheeling celebration of being your most fabulous self. The Hips on the Drag Queen Go Swish, Swish, Swish encourages readers to boldly be exactly who they are. Written by a founding member of the nationally recognized Drag Queen Story Hour (DQSH), this playful picture book offers a quirky twist on a classic nursery rhyme by illustrating all of the ways to "work it". The story plays off "The Wheels on the Bus" as it follows a drag queen who performs her routine in front of an awestruck audience. A fun frenzy of fierceness, this book will appeal to readers of all ages.




Fire Shut Up in My Bones


Book Description

A respected journalist describes the abuse he suffered at the hands of a close family relative, the effect this had on his formative years and how he overcame the anger and self-doubt it left behind.




ReFocus: The Films of Barbara Kopple


Book Description

Traces Kopple's entire career to date, including her deft navigations of independent documentary production, ethical relationships between filmmaker and subject, and the shifting digital media landscape. Provides cultural contexts for Kopple's films, including representations of class, gender, sexuality and race . Assesses the contours of Kopple's critical reputation and popularity, including her influence on contemporary filmmakers.




Her Country


Book Description

In country music, the men might dominate the radio waves. But it’s women—like Maren Morris, Mickey Guyton, and Kacey Musgraves—who are making history. This is the full and unbridled story of the past twenty years of country music seen through the lens of these trailblazers’ careers—their paths to stardom and their battles against a deeply embedded boys’ club, as well as their efforts to transform the genre into a more inclusive place—as told by award-winning Nashville journalist Marissa R. Moss. For the women of country music, 1999 was an entirely different universe—a brief blip in time, when women like Shania Twain and the Chicks topped every chart and made country music a woman’s world. But the industry, which prefers its stars to be neutral, be obedient, and never rock the boat, had other plans. It wanted its women to “shut up and sing”—or else. In 2021, women are played on country radio as little as 10 percent of the time, but they’re still selling out arenas, as Kacey Musgraves does, and becoming infinitely bigger live draws than most of their male counterparts, creating massive pop crossover hits like Maren Morris’s “The Middle,” pushing the industry to confront its racial biases with Mickey Guyton’s “Black Like Me,” and winning heaps of Grammy nominations. Her Country is the story of how in the past two decades, country’s women fought back against systems designed to keep them down and created entirely new pathways to success. It’s the behind-the-scenes story of how women like Kacey, Mickey, Maren, Miranda Lambert, Rissi Palmer, Brandi Carlile, and many more have reinvented their place in an industry stacked against them. When the rules stopped working for these women, they threw them out, made their own, and took control—changing the genre forever, and for the better.




Pitch Perfect (movie tie-in)


Book Description

A musical tale of collegiate a cappella filled of high notes, high drama, and high jinks that inspired the hit films Pitch Perfect and Pitch Perfect 2. Get ready to be pitch slapped. The roots of unaccompanied vocal music stretch all the way back to Gregorian chants of the Middle Ages, and collegiate a cappella is over a century old. But what was once largely an Ivy League phenomenon has, in the past twenty years, exploded. And it’s not what you think. Though the blue blazers and khakis may remain, a cappella groups at colleges across the country have become downright funky. In Pitch Perfect, journalist Mickey Rapkin follows a season in a cappella through all its twists and turns, covering the breathtaking displays of vocal talent, the groupies (yes, there are a cappella groupies), the rock-star partying, and all the bitter rivalries. Rapkin brings you into the world of collegiate a cappella characters—from movie-star looks and celebrity-size egos to a troubled new singer with the megawatt voice. Including encounters with a cappella alums like John Legend and Diane Sawyer and fans from Prince to presidents, Rapkin shows that a cappella isn’t for the faint of heart—or lungs. Sure to strike a chord with fans of Glee and The Sing-Off, this raucous story of a cappella rock stars shows that sometimes, to get that perfect harmony, you have to embrace a little discord.




The Fear of Singing Breakthrough Program


Book Description

A complete how-to guide for "non-singers" or beginning singers who wish they could sing, or fearful singers who long to bring singingback into their lives. Includes Audio Tracks and Videos on Companion Website! Singing is a skill that can be learned, just like any other skill. However, because singing is so primal and meaningful to us as human beings, when we are discouraged, we are discouraged to the core. Our confidence and self-esteem are affected. Most would-be singers stop singing completely, no questions asked. But many who "can't sing," on some level wish they could.... Singing is your birthright. It's never too late to get started! With the Fear of Singing Breakthrough Program You'll: Discover the power of the body-voice connection Learn simple ways to use your breath to support your voice Harness a variety of singing techniques that work with your learning style Demystify basic music theory for singing Start learning how to sing in tune and understand rhythm Learn how to blend in so you can sing with friends and in groups You'll Find: Powerful fear-busting exercises Ice-breakers to get you singing right away Exercises for learning to listen better and match pitch Step-by-step lessons on how to approach any song Real-world suggestions for starting to sing with other people Inspirational ideas about art, courage and self-expression Even if your goals are modest (you're not planning to perform on Broadway or become a professional), feeling comfortable about singing the Happy Birthday Song, or singing around the campfire or at church can make all the difference in the world. In this fun, supportive program you will be guided through techniques to get past your fear, and be taught the foundations of learning how to sing. Tap into the transformative power of singing to experience more confidence, self-expression and joy. Don't let the outdated idea that you are a "non-singer" stop you from joining in one of the healthiest, most expressive and rewarding activities life has to offer. Visit www.FearOfSinging.com What People Are Saying... "For those just beginning to step bravely into the world of singing this book provides a clear, comprehensive and supportive guide toward getting over internal doubt and fear and making the journey into the transformative possibilities of the human voice." - Mary Knysh, Founder of Rhythmic Connections Teacher/Trainer for Music for People "With kindness, playfulness, and heart, Nancy will help you explore your voice and reclaim the joy and courage we all had singing as children." - Shendl Diamond, LikeMinds Press "Salwen's writing is from the heart, and her knowledge is experiential; her range of teaching and singing experience shines through in this approachable and interactive book. Those who love to read a book from cover to cover will find lots of useful information, and those who prefer to jump right in and try things will find handy lists, exercises and tips. Salwen breaks down the skills of singing and helps readers recognize the skills they already have." - Dr. Irene M. Feher, D.Mus. Professor of Voice, Concordia University




Pretty Good for a Girl


Book Description

The first book devoted entirely to women in bluegrass, Pretty Good for a Girl documents the lives of more than seventy women whose vibrant contributions to the development of bluegrass have been, for the most part, overlooked. Accessibly written and organized by decade, the book begins with Sally Ann Forrester, who played accordion and sang with Bill Monroe's Blue Grass Boys from 1943 to 1946, and continues into the present with artists such as Alison Krauss, Rhonda Vincent, and the Dixie Chicks. Drawing from extensive interviews, well-known banjoist Murphy Hicks Henry gives voice to women performers and innovators throughout bluegrass's history, including such pioneers as Bessie Lee Mauldin, Wilma Lee Cooper, and Roni and Donna Stoneman; family bands including the Lewises, Whites, and McLains; and later pathbreaking performers such as the Buffalo Gals and other all-girl bands, Laurie Lewis, Lynn Morris, Missy Raines, and many others.